Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 11
यतः पीतं जलं पुंसामप्रक्षाल्य च यद्भवेत् । प्रेताः पिशाचास्तद्रूपं संक्रम्य प्रपिबंति तत्
yataḥ pītaṃ jalaṃ puṃsāmaprakṣālya ca yadbhavet | pretāḥ piśācāstadrūpaṃ saṃkramya prapibaṃti tat
Denn wenn ein Mann Wasser trinkt, ohne sich zuvor ordnungsgemäß zu reinigen, nehmen Pretas und Piśācas eben jene Gestalt an und trinken es, als tränken sie durch ihn.
Yudhiṣṭhira (doctrinal explanation embedded within narration; deduced from preceding direct instruction)
Type: kund
Scene: As a man drinks without proper washing, shadowy pretas and piśācas subtly overlay his form, as if drinking through him; the sacred pond glows while the unseen beings appear in translucent silhouettes.
FAQs
Carelessness in purity invites subtle harm; disciplined conduct protects one’s vitality and sanctity.
A sacred kuṇḍa whose water is treated as spiritually potent and therefore governed by strict etiquette.
Wash properly before drinking; otherwise the act is considered spiritually compromised.